For Earth Day 2015, the city owes a great deal of gratitude to an odd-looking metal structure that sits along pier five.

The Inner Harbor water wheel is powered by the water's current that moves lifts that empty into a dumpster. It also has solar panels for power on slow days.

On Monday, it set a record of removing almost 19 tons of trash in a 24-hour period, helping to improve the water quality for wildlife.

"It was a record-breaking day for the water wheel. We collected 19 tons of trash. That's 6.5 dumpsters full of trash,” said Adam Lindquist with the Healthy Harbor Initiative. "Because we've had this water wheel, we were able to collect all of that trash before it made its way into the harbor and the result was much cleaner photos the morning after the storm."

The water wheel has also helped habitat restoration around the harbor which includes 2,000 square feet of floating wetlands and oyster gardens and now new life is thriving.

"So out at the floating wetlands we've seen blue herons, night herons, ducks and geese. Underneath the water, you'll see crabs and fish and eels enjoying the wetlands as well," Lindquist said.

Fundraising begins next month for a second water wheel to be posted in Canton off Boston Street.

Also next month, the Healthy Harbor report card will be coming out with updates on how things are going. The goal is to have a swimmable and fishable harbor by 2020 and so far, they are a little behind that goal.